Another Mini GP
Discussion
Way back in March of this year I decided 2014 was the year I was going to get another car. I had been off of the road for a little over two years and just couldn't wait any longer. I needed to get back behind the wheel of a car (a fast car). Back then I only had one requirement. It had to be fast. That was it!
Fast forward a few weeks to the start of May and I'm heading back to Hertfordshire in my brand spanking new M135i. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had been out the previous night for my other half's birthday. Didnt get home till around midnight then was up at the crack of dawn to begin my journey (via public transport) to Tunbridge Wells. I remember my girl asking where I was off to. You see I hadn't told her I was getting a car lol... I wont go into that now!
Anyway after almost 2.5 hours I finally arrived at the dealer to collect my car -
Was everything I thought I wanted from a car and then some. Fast, comfortable and "fairly" good looking.
Fast forward to October (This is after test driving a C63 a month or two before. Decided that car can wait till next year or the year after). I'm now sitting at a Mini dealership in Oxford reviewing a Mini. -
To me the BMW was fast. And for a short while I loved it for that alone. After a while though it became a little boring. Simply going fast in a straight line wasn't doing it for me. I wanted something fun, agile and little less porky. The first and only car that came to mind was the Mini GP. After reading and watching countless reviews I decided to start calling around. It dint take me long to find this '14 plate example with 2100 miles on the clock.
A few days after I decided to pull the trigger and go for it!
Have had it for almost 2 months now. This is going to be a keeper!
Fast forward a few weeks to the start of May and I'm heading back to Hertfordshire in my brand spanking new M135i. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had been out the previous night for my other half's birthday. Didnt get home till around midnight then was up at the crack of dawn to begin my journey (via public transport) to Tunbridge Wells. I remember my girl asking where I was off to. You see I hadn't told her I was getting a car lol... I wont go into that now!
Anyway after almost 2.5 hours I finally arrived at the dealer to collect my car -
Was everything I thought I wanted from a car and then some. Fast, comfortable and "fairly" good looking.
Fast forward to October (This is after test driving a C63 a month or two before. Decided that car can wait till next year or the year after). I'm now sitting at a Mini dealership in Oxford reviewing a Mini. -
To me the BMW was fast. And for a short while I loved it for that alone. After a while though it became a little boring. Simply going fast in a straight line wasn't doing it for me. I wanted something fun, agile and little less porky. The first and only car that came to mind was the Mini GP. After reading and watching countless reviews I decided to start calling around. It dint take me long to find this '14 plate example with 2100 miles on the clock.
A few days after I decided to pull the trigger and go for it!
Have had it for almost 2 months now. This is going to be a keeper!
I like it OP really want to get out in a gp2 to see how far away mine is. I have a fairly heavily modified JCW r56 and at first it was just supposed to be a cheaper more sensible replacement for my porsche..... Things spiralled haha and like you it just has something that makes me want to keep this one.
Keep us updated on how you get in with the car.
Keep us updated on how you get in with the car.
Sunday morning is my iPad morning 
I trawl pistonheads and autotrader searching for what I'm going to buy next while the wife sleeps in!
The thing is though, come Monday morning when I drive it again, the little GP just never fails to put a smile on my face, they are that good!
Just don't forget to press sport and the traction control button every time you start it to keep it in GP mode and you can't go wrong
Must dash, I'm off to look at Astons in the classifieds.....
I trawl pistonheads and autotrader searching for what I'm going to buy next while the wife sleeps in!The thing is though, come Monday morning when I drive it again, the little GP just never fails to put a smile on my face, they are that good!
Just don't forget to press sport and the traction control button every time you start it to keep it in GP mode and you can't go wrong
Must dash, I'm off to look at Astons in the classifieds.....
I sold the GP2 around 2 or three months after that Sunday Service..... Fast forward a few years. And I'm back in another Mini GP
The GP was over at Lohen on Friday to have the following done -
New front discs and pads
Stage 1 Manic remap
ITG panel filter
Oil change and
Airtec intercooler
It feels great!
Now waiting for a detail.
The GP was over at Lohen on Friday to have the following done -
New front discs and pads
Stage 1 Manic remap
ITG panel filter
Oil change and
Airtec intercooler
It feels great!
Now waiting for a detail.
Welcome back to the fold - new car looks great! (they all do 
). Notice the the new one's got the black rings for the front and rear lights. What's your view/preference on those?
Would love to know how it's taken to the Airtec and Manic Stage 1 too. Big difference? Tempted by a downpipe too?
). Notice the the new one's got the black rings for the front and rear lights. What's your view/preference on those?Would love to know how it's taken to the Airtec and Manic Stage 1 too. Big difference? Tempted by a downpipe too?
MDifficult said:
Welcome back to the fold - new car looks great! (they all do ). Notice the the new one's got the black rings for the front and rear lights. What's your view/preference on those?
Would love to know how it's taken to the Airtec and Manic Stage 1 too. Big difference? Tempted by a downpipe too?
Good to be back!). Notice the the new one's got the black rings for the front and rear lights. What's your view/preference on those?Would love to know how it's taken to the Airtec and Manic Stage 1 too. Big difference? Tempted by a downpipe too?
I prefer the black/dark light surrounds. I think they look much better than the silver/chrome ones.
As for the recent upgrades. They've made a massive difference. The power delivery (in normal and sport mode). Feels very powerful and smooth. It gathers speed with very little effort. I'm very impressed!
Lohen suggested I get the front pads changed. I originally wanted to go for yellow stuff pads. They didn't have them in stock. So suggested mintex. And they feel pretty good.
I went OE on the discs. Forgot how big they are 330mm.
They one came with a little over 8000 miles on the clock... Alot more than the previous Mini. I bags that with alot over 2000 miles.
I went OE on the discs. Forgot how big they are 330mm.
They one came with a little over 8000 miles on the clock... Alot more than the previous Mini. I bags that with alot over 2000 miles.
The1Driver said:
Lohen suggested I get the front pads changed. I originally wanted to go for yellow stuff pads. They didn't have them in stock. So suggested mintex. And they feel pretty good.
I went OE on the discs. Forgot how big they are 330mm.
Sounds good - might give them a try next time around. I've not found any good alternatives to the OE discs - unless I want to get some built up which are about £800 I went OE on the discs. Forgot how big they are 330mm.
To be honest, the brake performance is pretty outstanding but if there's more feel and less squeal to be had from the Mintex they're probably worth a go.
Saw your comment above about the diff? Is your new GP fitted with a mechanical one?
Yeahhhhhh..... Not ready to spend 800 on discs just yet. Want to get a set of pole positions first!
As standard the car comes with an electronic diff. It was whilst working on the car. Lohen spotted that a mechanical diff had been fitted. And that they were the ones who fitted it for the previous owner.
As standard the car comes with an electronic diff. It was whilst working on the car. Lohen spotted that a mechanical diff had been fitted. And that they were the ones who fitted it for the previous owner.
The1Driver said:
Yeahhhhhh..... Not ready to spend 800 on discs just yet. Want to get a set of pole positions first!
I’ve been hunting for a pair of the correct Mini Works Recaro seats (the ones that are basically a Sportster CS with airbag etc, trimmed to match the GP2 interior) but they’re hen’s teeth rare / crazy expensive. Even resorted to getting quotes to have Lohen’s Sportster CSs retrimmed to match the Mini Works ones but the cost is still crazy. That’s the problem with wanting it to look OE.
The1Driver said:
As standard the car comes with an electronic diff. It was whilst working on the car. Lohen spotted that a mechanical diff had been fitted. And that they were the ones who fitted it for the previous owner.
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